Zion National Park Activities: Hiking, Biking, Canyoneering

Just over 3 million people visit Zion National Park each year to partake in such activities as canyoneering, biking and hiking. However, they soon discover that there is a lot more to the park than just these things. In fact, most tourists realize that the wealth of summer activities is amazing.

When it comes to summer activities, Zion National Park draws in millions of tourists who cannot get enough of its scenery, environment and most of all its canyoneering, hiking and biking. With so many opportunities for fun, these three things are in the top three of chosen things to do in the park.

Zion has become almost a sort of pilgrimage for most. They come to participate, to play, to laugh and to go home with tales of adventure that they want to repeat again and again every year.

Canyoneering has become one of those things. Tourists combine hiking, climbing, repelling and canyon exploration into a fine trip that goes beyond the simple scenery watching. They observe the color contrasts, how the light dances of sandstone rock formations, and unusual slots, crevices and mini canyons have eroded over millions of years into the beautiful massive shapes that dot the park.

Hiking is as usual very popular. There are many well taken care of trails that allow every level of hiker to get up close and personal with both the backcountry and outer lying regions. Some of the trails are paved, allowing wheelchair, stroller and bicycle access. Others are more undulating, rugged and exceedingly challenging. Either way, the clear skies, fresh air, hidden water pools and vast forests have hidden secrets around every corner, things that one could never see from the seat of a car.

Biking comes in two forms there. Regular cyclists trundle along paved pathways, roads and trails, getting in some excitement as they reach local viewpoints or catch the occasional view of local wildlife. However, mountain biking is a big draw. Trails are more intense and definitely demand more from participants that regular routes. Sharp turns, steep ascents and descents and sudden mud puddles from recent rainfalls make it all the more exciting.